Comprehensive Guide to MARPOL Annexes and Pollution Prevention

MARPOL

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.

History of MARPOL

The MARPOL Convention was adopted on 2 November 1973 at IMO, with the Protocol of 1978 adopted in response to tanker accidents in 1976-1977.

Combined instrument

The 1978 MARPOL Protocol absorbed the 1973 MARPOL Convention and entered into force on 2 October 1983.

Annex VI

A protocol adopted in 1997 that amended the Convention and entered into force on 19 May 2005.

Pollution types covered by MARPOL

Accidental pollution and intentional pollution (i.e., operationally required) such as ballast, bilges, and trash.

Annexes

MARPOL is divided into Annexes instead of chapters, each addressing specific types of pollution.

Annex I

Regulations for the prevention of pollution by oil.

Annex II

Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk.

Annex III

Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form.

Annex IV

Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships.

Annex V

Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships.

Oil record book

Document required under Annex I that includes Part I and Part II detailing operational waste and cargo waste.

Non-cargo oil

Oil generated in the Engine Room and Machinery Spaces, including waste engine oil, lubricants, and oily sludge.

Cargo Oil

Oil carried in bulk, including oil cargo and oily water from tank cleaning operations.

Noxious liquid substance

Any substance indicated in the Pollution Category column of chapter 17 or 18 of the International Bulk Chemical Code or assessed under regulation 6.3 as falling into category X, Y or Z.

Harmful substances

Substances identified as marine pollutants in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code) or meeting specific criteria in the appendix of Annex III.

Packaged form

The forms of containment specified for harmful substances in the IMDG Code.

Sewage

Drainage and other wastes from any form of toilets and urinals; drainage from medical premises via wash basins, wash tubs and scuppers; drainage from spaces containing living animals; or other waste waters when mixed with the drainages defined above.

Grey Water

Wash water and galley water which is piped to a holding tank and then discharged overboard as regulation permits.

Black Water

Toilet water which must be treated biologically or chemically before being discharged or retained in a holding tank.

Garbage

Each ship must create and follow a plan for managing garbage, which includes waste food, wood, paper, rags, cans, glass containers, cooking oil, animal carcass, incinerator ash, operational waste, and cargo residues.

Plastics

Not bio-degradable and should NEVER be thrown over the side.

Garbage Management Plan

A plan approved by class society that deals with each type of garbage onboard and may require a licensed collector from ashore.

Garbage Record Book

Entries shall be made when garbage is discharged to a reception facility ashore, incinerated, discharged into the sea, or accidentally discharged into the sea.

Garbage categories

Includes Plastics, Food waste, Domestic waste, Cooking oil, Incinerator ashes, Operational waste, Cargo residues, Animal carcasses, Fishing gear, and Waste from electronic equipment.

Phases of Waste Management

Includes Collection, Separation, Processing, Storage, and Disposal.

Separation

The process of sorting waste into categories such as plastics, paper, cans, food, and oily rags.

Disposal

Methods include port recycling center, landfill, shore incineration, or sterilization.

Marpol Special Areas

In Special Areas, the only garbage permitted to be discharged overboard is food waste comminuted to particles less than 25mm when the ship is at least 12 miles from land.

Air Pollution

Regulations concerning air pollution from ships as outlined in ANNEX VI of MARPOL.

EEDI

Energy Efficiency Design Index, a measure introduced in MARPOL to improve energy efficiency.

IMO 2020

One of the latest editions to MARPOL focusing on reducing sulfur emissions from ships.

Ballast Water

Not included in MARPOL; it is a separate convention.

Garbage Record Book Entries

Shall include vessel's name, distinctive number, IMO number, period, category, amount, position, and signature.

Accidental discharge

Refers to garbage that is unintentionally released into the sea.

Operational waste

Includes cleaning agents contained in wash water.

Incinerator ash

The residue left after burning waste materials onboard.

Cargo residues

Leftover materials from cargo that must be managed according to regulations.

Fishing gear

Equipment used for catching fish that must be disposed of properly.